CSC News

March 03, 2011

Women in Computer Science Receives NCWIT Grant

Congratulations to NC State Computer Science Women in Computer Science (WICS) student organization on receiving a $500 Seed Fund grant from ReturnPath and the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT).

NCWIT is a coalition of over 250 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies and non-profits working to increase the participation of girls and women in computing and IT. The organization was created to identify reasons why there aren’t more women in IT; identify what research and interventions can best attract and retain women to IT; leverage existing effective efforts; and build a united, national platform for progress.

NC State’s WICS chapter plans to use the Seed Fund grant to host a panel discussion for both undergraduate and graduate female students in the computer science department at NC State. The goal of the event is to provide an opportunity for the NC State students to interact with successful females from academia and industry. Several distinguished female researchers from universities and research labs, company representatives from IT companies, as well as some top graduate students will be invited to join the panel discussion. Additionally, WICS plans to host a special information booth during the College of Engineering’s Open House with intent to encourage female high school students to choose information technology as their major.

NC State is a proud member of NCWIT's Academic Alliance, which consists of 148 distinguished representatives from the computer science and IT departments of 148 colleges and universities across the country, spanning research universities, community colleges, women's colleges, and minority-serving institutions. Charged with implementing institutional change in higher education, the Academic Alliance provides feedback on NCWIT programs, contributes and adopts effective practices, and serves as a national agent of change. It meets several times per year to compare approaches and provide guidance and mutual support.